Posts Tagged ‘Free Pattern’

We’ve just returned from one of the biggest industry showcases of the year, the TNNA Summer Trade Show. This is where we put our best foot forward while yarn store owners from around the country (and even the globe!) come to shop. You can see our newest additions to the Spud & Chloë pattern catalog in the above photo; they were very well-received by everyone who stopped by our booth!

There was also some buzz for our newest free patterns in Spud & Chloë Sweater (L-R): the Manly Fingerless Gloves by Sylvia Häger, the Easy Color Blanket by Karen Rolstad, and the Collegiate Hat by Wendy Bernard. You can even spot one of these patterns in the above photo of our TNNA booth – can you guess which one?

Designer and author Wendy Bernard joined us in our TNNA booth on Saturday to sign copies of her newest book, Up, Down, All-Around! It was very exciting to have a celebrity in our midst, and we look forward to sharing more about her new book over on the Blue Sky Alpacas website!

It’s been well below freezing for most of the Midwest, ice storms are wreaking havoc in parts of the southern states, and big snow storms are on the way for the East Coast. The winter solstice is yet to be official (one more day to go), but there’s no doubt about the winter weather. It’s cold out there!

The Whole Gang Gaiter in Spud & Chloë Outer.

Luckily we have just the project for the freezing temperatures and fast-approaching holidays: the Whole Gang Gaiter. Two hanks of Spud & Chloë Outer and an evening or two of knitting are all it takes to whip up this winter warmer.

When one of the Spud & Chloë team left for college this fall, we sent him off with a little something to remember us by–the Cabin Fever Blanket in Spud & Chloë Outer! We’re confident it’s going to keep him comfy and cozy in his new apartment. We also think it’s the perfect project for those cold days when all you want to do is sit by the fire and knit.

Cabin Fever Blanket in Rhino and Leapfrog.

The Cabin Fever Blanket rocks for so many reasons:

• It’s ultra warm (both when it’s finished and while your knitting.)

• The yarn is super squishy and cuddly.

• You can create your own custom color combination.

• It’s the perfect project for cold weather.

Oh, and did we mention that there’s a crochet version too?

The crochet version in Snow Day and Mermaid.

Both patterns are free and both use Spud & Chloë Outer. Designers Sarah Smuland (knitter extraordinaire) and Jillian Cautrell (crochet master) worked collaboratively to ensure that dimensions, stripe placement, and overall feel of the blanket were the same.

But before we move on, we thought we’d treat you to 8 facts you may not know about Spud & Chloë!

1. Spud & Chloë World Headquarters is located just a half an hour north of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

2. Ten people work at Spud & Chloë World Headquarters.

3. Seventy percent of the Spud & Chloë team knit. (We’re working on getting the other 30 percent on board.)

4. We have other hobbies. Embroidery, photography, chicken husbandry, movie watching, sewing, reading, crocheting, cooking, gardening, hobby farming, hunting, and fishing are some of our other favorite things to do.

5. We give back. Twice a year the Spud & Chloë team heads out to clean a stretch of Highway 65 as part of the Adopt-a-Highway program. (You can’t miss us: we’re the ones with the “Honk if you love knitters” sign!)

6. Spud & Chloë are named after real, live sheep.

7. The breed of sheep that inspired Spud & Chloë are called babydoll sheep, and they’re just as cute as the name sounds.

8. Spud is a bit of a curmudgeon. Chloë is the happy-go-lucky girl-next-door. The whole Spud & Chloë team is a whole lot to fun. (We celebrate every single birthday with cake and ice cream!)

Now… onto the *free* Colorwork Collection!

Colorwork–stripe style!

We love this little pixie hat for its sweet and traditional silhouette. More than just a bonnet, the little peak at the top is fun for the peek-a-boo age group.

A slight slouch, a funky pattern, and endless color possibilities! I’m quite bewitched with the zingy color combinations of Spud & Chloë Fine, but this cap would be equally fantastic stitched in neutrals or a neutral with a pop of color!

Auntie Sarah

Effervescent Auntie Sarah went from Customer Service to Design Coordinator and newbie Designer in a flash–watch her bubble! Her very first free pattern was Super Soakers, and since then she has peppered us with delightful creations such as Etched Rio Wrap, Compass Cowl, Paw Hat, and Situpons.